On October 31, 2024, I went to Michigan to interview for a funeral director position and during lunch, my Greek chicken was not going down, my esophagus was dry and every bite needed to be washed down with water. Shortly after that, I saw my doctor on an almost regular basis and we agreed to take a cologuard test, which came back positive. She wanted to do a colonoscopy. I told her I also wanted an upper Gi too. I was referred to GI and on January 6th, I came out from anesthesia with the first photo. As you can see my esophagus is nearly blocked and the cancer is clearly defined.
The next step, I had a CT scan with contrast, that showed that my cancer moved from my esophagus to my liver and now, I have two cancerous tumors in my liver. The next picture was after my biopsy of my liver. A test that was awake and alert for. 3 times they pierced my abdomen to get to my liver and I felt each one.
Then we get to my next picture. February 5th, a fay that seemed to take forever. In that meeting I was told if I did nothing, I’d be dead in 6 months. As a funeral director, I said that’s not an option and we agreed to treat it aggressively, I told her I’m 50, and I feel healthy. I’ve run 4 marathons and this cancer ain’t taking me just yet.
So after the course of action was discussed, I got my port in about a week before I started chemo. Chemo started on February 19 and will happen every two weeks.
I’m in the fight of my life with stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer.
On January 28, I had to turn down my dream job of managing 3 funeral homes to focus on my healing.
Sketch Productions
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Thank you to Kaitlyn Ross from 13Alive News in Atlanta, GA.
This looks like a normal running map… until you realize it’s actually spelling a child’s name.
That’s because one father is using his runs to draw the names of children battling cancer across entire cities.
His name is Rik Zortman, and he calls himself the Human Etch A Sketch.
After losing his three-year-old son Armstrong to brain cancer in 2009, Rik started running to keep his son’s spirit alive.
But the miles quickly became something more.
Using GPS tracking, Rik carefully maps out the names of children fighting cancer.
When the run is finished, the route on the map spells their names.
Like a giant Etch A Sketch made out of miles.
Each run becomes a tribute.
Each name becomes a story that will never be erased.
Rik has now run names in 35 states, honoring children who are fighting, children who have survived, and children whose stories deserve to live on.
Recently, he laced up his shoes to run for a Georgia teenager named Jude.
Jude battled a rare cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. The treatments were brutal.
When he was given a Make-A-Wish, he could have gone anywhere, met anyone, done almost anything.
Instead, he asked for a chance to help people experiencing homelessness in his community.
More than 300 people received backpacks, sleeping bags, and a hot meal that day.
And Jude refused to eat until every single person had been served first.
That kind of kindness is exactly why Rik keeps running.
Because every mile he logs is like turning the knobs on an Etch A Sketch, carefully drawing out names, stories, and love across the map.
Children whose courage deserves to be remembered.
Children whose lives matter.
One run at a time, the Human Etch A Sketch is sketching something bigger than miles.
He’s sketching memory.
Compassion.
And a promise that these children will never be forgotten. ❤️
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Sketch Productions
27.). Happy Thursday.
Today, my post is dedicated to #craig
Here is his story in his own words:
On October 31, 2024, I went to Michigan to interview for a funeral director position and during lunch, my Greek chicken was not going down, my esophagus was dry and every bite needed to be washed down with water. Shortly after that, I saw my doctor on an almost regular basis and we agreed to take a cologuard test, which came back positive. She wanted to do a colonoscopy. I told her I also wanted an upper Gi too. I was referred to GI and on January 6th, I came out from anesthesia with the first photo. As you can see my esophagus is nearly blocked and the cancer is clearly defined.
The next step, I had a CT scan with contrast, that showed that my cancer moved from my esophagus to my liver and now, I have two cancerous tumors in my liver. The next picture was after my biopsy of my liver. A test that was awake and alert for. 3 times they pierced my abdomen to get to my liver and I felt each one.
Then we get to my next picture. February 5th, a fay that seemed to take forever. In that meeting I was told if I did nothing, I’d be dead in 6 months. As a funeral director, I said that’s not an option and we agreed to treat it aggressively, I told her I’m 50, and I feel healthy. I’ve run 4 marathons and this cancer ain’t taking me just yet.
So after the course of action was discussed, I got my port in about a week before I started chemo. Chemo started on February 19 and will happen every two weeks.
I’m in the fight of my life with stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer.
On January 28, I had to turn down my dream job of managing 3 funeral homes to focus on my healing.
My friends have set up a go fund me account
gofund.me/1df1e482
Thank you for sharing your story and good luck on fighting this cancer!
www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8YwSJaw/
TikTok / IG / Threads: Humanetchasketch
RSD (2025) 58
RSD (overall) 1,885
D/M/Y: 11 / 138 / 303 miles
#humanetchasketch®
#willrunforbling
#runforarmstrong
#runtochangelives
#outrunfebruary
#runtheyear2025
#27february2025
#iowacityiowa
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